Resolve to Evolve Within

What if this New Year, the resolutions you make are focused less on the external you and more on the essence of you? Self-empowerment and emotional health can become your new goal.

A new year brings with it a new energy, a chance for each of us to realize the power within us that is the truth of who we are. No matter what our path is, we all have the ability to tap into this essence.

In his book Perfect Health (Harmony, 1991), Deepak Chopra states, “The hidden you that wants to emerge is in perfect balance.” One of the most important things to consider about being self-empowered through balance is that it is a journey that belongs only to you. No one finds balance in the same way or at the same time as somebody else.

Looking for Balance

Self-empowerment starts with attaining balance in our four main dimensions: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical.

Why is balance in these dimensions important for self-empowerment? If one of the tires on your car goes flat, your ride will not be smooth. Our dimensions are similar; if one is deflated from lack of attention, we can lack a sense of empowerment within. If we are not clear about who we are, we may start to become what other people think we should be. And many of us can live our entire life without having a true sense of the essence that lies within.

Not living in empowerment can be like creating a buffet of all of your favourite foods–and never sitting down to enjoy it. We never realize the full potential of what our life can be.

Launching Your Journey to Empowerment

Here is an enlightening activity to begin your journey to emotional awareness and empowerment. Set the mood for success: find a space with no distraction, play some soothing music, light a candle. Remember–what you are doing is tapping into the inner you.

1. Divide a blank piece of paper into four squares and label them: Mental, Spiritual, Physical, and Emotional. Take a few moments, close your eyes and go inside, breathing deeply through your mouth. Ask yourself what goal you would like to achieve this year in each dimension.

For example, under Mental, you may want to accumulate more knowledge on one specific subject; under Spiritual you may want to study a new meditation or breathing technique. Physical could be a weight-loss goal or a fitness level you wish to reach.

2. Under each heading, write a list of things you would like to do to nurture that particular dimension to bring you closer to the goal you have chosen.

If your goal under Physical is to lose 10 pounds, the steps to nurture could be signing up for a fitness class or hiring a personal trainer. If your Spiritual goal is to feel a sense of purpose and connectedness, you may want to make some calls to different organizations that focus on metaphysical teachings or join a guided meditation group.

3. As you read over what you have written, pay close attention to the ideals you have listed. Do they represent the truth? Will they assist you in reaching your specific goal in each area? If not, cross it off and replace it with something that will guarantee you
success with your resolutions.

4. If you have had a hard time filling in these areas, don’t be discouraged; this activity could take some time. When you are finished, hang your enlightenment list somewhere visible in your home and make a point of checking off one item per dimension every day.

Knowing yourself, what makes you unique, is like having the key to the power that resides in the very core of you. Every part of you is equally important and meant to be honoured and nurtured along your journey.

Make this next year and the ones to follow the best of your life, the most empowered ever, by creating the map that your life follows. Happy New You!